The Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board (MPRB) showed strong leadership in protecting the health and well-being of residents and visitors to Minneapolis parks on Wednesday, March 8. The Board voted unanimously to make all Minneapolis parks tobacco-free, with an exemption for use of tobacco with traditional Native American spiritual or cultural ceremonies. You can read the policy here.

“We are excited to join with dozens of other local park systems in becoming completely tobacco-free, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Superintendent Jayne Miller said. “This policy supports our mission to promote healthy lifestyles and environments for residents and park visitors across Minneapolis and will contribute to many park patrons’ use and enjoyment of our system. I also want to thank Commissioner Steffanie Musich for taking a lead role in developing this important policy."

The Board’s current Smoking/Tobacco Use Policy, which was approved in 2009, does not address the use of chewing tobacco or electronic cigarettes. The new tobacco policy expands to cover both of those uses and also honors traditional Native American spiritual or cultural ceremonies.

A July 2016 survey of Minneapolis residents conducted by Morris Leatherman for the Minneapolis Healthier Parks Initiative found that 60 percent of respondents strongly supported Minneapolis parks benig 100 percent tobacco-free at all times.

What you can I do to help make the policy successful?

Join our coalition!

We are looking for Minneapolis residents, especially young people, who want to help promote the new tobacco free Mineapolis parks policy. Contact info@tobaccofreeparks.org or call (651) 646-3005 for more information.